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SERMON, 

PREACHED 

BEFORE  THE  CONVENTION 

OF  THE 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

AT  RICHMOND,  IN  VIRGINIA, 

Mjr  3d,  1792, 

.   BYDEVEREUXJARRATT, 
Rector  of  Bath  Parish^  Dinwiddle  County* 


THIRD  EDITION. 


BRISTOL,  R.  L 

PRINTED  BY  DEARTH  &f  STERRY. 


1808. 


ADDRESS. 


To  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishsp^  the  Rev.  the  Clergy^  and  the 
Lay- Members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churchy  in  the  State 
of  Virginia. 

MY  JBRETHREN, 

IF  we  confider  the  Gofpel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
as  a  complete  fyftera  of  religion,  devifed  by  infinite  wifdoni 
and  goodnefs,  for  the  recovery  of  loft  mankind  to  the  favour 
and  image  of  God,  we  (hall  difcover  a  fitnefs  therein,  every 
way  adapted  to  anfwer  the  end  defigned  ;  and  that,  in  this 
▼iew,  the  gofpel  is  confiftent  with  the  higheft  reafon. 

But  if  we  confider  it  merely  as  a  fyftem  of  morals,  the 
Gofpel  becomes  a  riddle  of  abfurdities,  and  leaves  us  in  the 
dark  how  to  account  for  the  thoufandth  part  of  its  facred  con- 
tents. 

Whoever  adverts  to  the  tcnour  of  the  holy  fcriptures, 
will  find  that  they  uniformly  reprefent  mankind,  by  nature, 
as  fallen  from  God  ; — fallen  into  fin,  and  under  guilt  and 
condemnation  ; — as  having  loft  the  divine  favour  and  their 
own  innocency,  and  all  that  original  redlitude  and  primitive 
purity,  which  they  poffeffed,  when  they  firft  came  out  of  the 
plaftic  hand  of  their  CREATOR.  On  this  foundation  the 
whole  fcheme  of  falvation,  through  the  mediation  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  ftandeth.  Accordingly  the  gofpel  takes  into  confid- 
cration  the  nature  of  God,  as  a  Being,  holy,  juft  and  pure, 
as  well  as  good,  merciful  and  compaffionate ;  and  the  na- 
ture and  circumftances  of  man,  as  fallen,  guilty  and  deprav- 
ed ;  and  makes  adequate  provifions  for  reconciling  God  to 
man,  by  the  propitiatory  facrifice  of  the  Redeemer  ;  and 
man  to  God,  by  renovating  and  refining  degenerate  nature, 
by  divine  grace.     And  thus  it  is,   that  finners,   guilty   and 


iv  ADDRESS. 

defiled,  are  refloreJ  both  to  the  favour  and  image  of  God  ; 
not  only  pardoned  and  delivered  from  condemnation,  but 
regenerated  and  made  fit  fubjeds  for  GOD  to  take  pleafure 
in.  The  glorious  gofpel,  when  viewed  in  this  light,  muft 
certainly  appear  to  accord  with  the  eternal  reafon  and  nature 
of  things,  and  mod  juflly  to  challenge  univerfal  veneration 
and  efteem. 

It  mufl  alfo  be  obferved,  by  every  attentive  reader,  that 
the  bleflings  or  benefits  of  the  gofpel  are  held  forth  and  olF- 
cied  to  men,  not  in  a  jumbled  or  promifcuous  manner,  but 
in  fuch  certain  order  and  connexion,  that  one  benefit  pre- 
cedes, or  goes  before  another,  with  the  utmofl  propriety  and 
regularity.  This,  if  duly  obferved,  would  naturally  point 
out  to  a  confiderate  mind  the  order  and  connexion,  in  which 
the  doctrines  of  chridianity  ought  to  be  preached. 

But  though  this  is  a  matter  of  very  great  confcquence 
to  the  proper  difcharge  of  the  miniRry,  and  the  fuccefs  of 
our  labours,  yet  it  is  greatly  to  be  feared,  that  it  too  feldom 
enters  into  the  heads  cr  hearts  of  many  miniflers.  They 
may  take  care  that  their  fermons  (liall  be  adorned  with  fine 
language,  and  contain  nothing  but  what  is  true  in  itfelf ; 
but  whether  the  matter  be  truly  evangelical,  and  fuitable  to 
the  prefent  Rage  of  religion,  in  the  congregation,  to  which 
they  preach,  perhaps,  may  make  no  part  of  the  inquiry. 

I  may  be  told,  that  they  preach  up  the  purefl  morality, 
and  bear  their  "  teftimony  againfl:  all  the  reigning  vices  of 
the  times."  I  acknowledge  morality  to  be  a  lovely,  pre- 
cious and  ornamental  jewel  ;  and  that  vice  is  odious,  abom- 
inable and  dedrudive.  But  true  morality  can  never  fpring 
forth  from  an  unrenewed  heart,  whatever  fpecious  appear- 
ances there  may  be  ;  nor  can  vice  be  rooted  out,  by  inveigh- 
ing againfl  it,  in  the  mod  fevere  and  pointed  terms  ;  or  by 
fatyrizing  it,  with  the  utmod  kecnnefs  and  afperlty. 

If  my  hiflorical  knowledge  does  not  fail  me,  I  can  ven- 
ture to  aflirm,  that  the  vices  of  the  Roman  empire  never 
grew  fadqr,  or  more  rank,  than  after  Perfeus,  Juvenal  and 
Hornce  adopted  the  fatyrical  method  of  reformation.  And 
he  mud  have  little  knowledge  of  the  human  heart,  who  can 
fuppofe  that  its  vices  can  be  removed  by  fuch  methods. 
They  have  druck  their  vile  roots  too  deep  to  be  eradicated 
by  any  thing  Icfs,  than  the  power  and  grace  ol  God,  whicK 


ADDRESS.  V, 

the  gofpel  fupplies.  If  we  wlfh  or  expecfl  to  do  any  thing 
efFedual  to  their  extirpation,  let  us  Arike  at  the  root  of  the 
difeafe  ;  for  all  our  labours  will  be  to  no  purpofe,  while  we 
direct  our  flrokes  merely  at  the  branches. 

But  after  all  that  can  be  faid,  1  am  fully  convinced,  that 
no  man  is  likely  to  make  an  able  and  ufcful  minifter  of  the 
new  teflament,  who  has  not  had  a  proper  introduction  to 
the  gofpel  miniftry.  I  mean,  that  he,  who  would  preach 
with  order,  propriety  and  fucctfs  to  others,  mud  be  experi- 
mentally acquainted  with  the  order,  in  which,  he  himfelf 
has  adually  received  the  bleflings  of  the  gofpel  to  the  faving 
conviClion  and  converfion  of  his  own  foul. 

Such  an  introduction  to  the  miniftry  will  let  a  man  in 
at  the  right  door,  and  the  fheep  will  hear  his  voice.  For 
that  minifter  who  has  himfelf  been  truly  awakened  to  a  jufl: 
fight  and  fenfe  of  his  own  loft  and  helplefs  ftate — has  been 
deeply  confcious  of  his  abfolute  need  of  a  faviour — has  been 
enabled,  by  divine  aid,  to  come  to  God,  as  a  poor  miferablc 
fmner ;  and  has  obtained  pardon  and  peace  with  his  offended 
Sovereign,  by  faith  in  the  blood  of  Chrift — that  miniiler,  I 
fay,  will  be  beft  qualified,  ceteris  paribus^  to  teach  others, 
not  only  the  right  way,  but  the  right  order,  in  which  the 
benefits  of  the  new  covenant  are  to  be  looked  for  and  ex* 
peded.  He  will  alfo  fpeak  feelingly,  becaufe  he  himfelf  has 
felt,  and  docs  feel :  he  will  fpeak  alarn;ingly,  becaufe  he  has 
been  alarmed,  and  he  will  fpeak  comfortably  to  fuch  as  (land 
in  need,  or  are  duly  prepared  for  the  reception  of  comfort, 
becaufe  he  himfelf  has  been  comforted,  by  the  confolation 
of  Jefus  Chrift. 

O  that  it  may  pleafe  the  eternal  God  to  furnifh  our 
church  with  a  rich  fupply  of  fuch  experienced  Pallors.  Then 
may  we  expedt  to  fee  the  prefent  gloomy  afpe£t  of  our  reli- 
gious affairs  wonderfully  changed  for  the  belter  :  vital  piety 
will  thenfpring  up  and  flourifb  among  us,  and  our  church 
become  the  glory  of  the  land.  But  till  this  fliall  be  the  cafe 
I  cannot  entertain  the  leaft  hope  or  expedtation  of  ever  feeing 
any  other  change,  but  from  bad  to  worfe. 

In  the  following  difcourfe  I  have  endeavoured  to  lay 
down  fome  of  the  leading  truths  of.  the  gofpel,  and  to  point 
out  the  order  and  connexion  in  which  they  (hould  be  preach- 
ed.    At  the  requcft  of  the  clerical  and  lay  deputies,  in  con- 


^1.  ADDRESS. 

Yention  ycderday,  I  have  fent  it  to  the  prefs,  without  any  a- 
pology  for  its  beinc:  deflitute  of  the  flowers  of  rhetoric  and 
the  ornaments  of  fpeech.  "  My  one  dcfign  was  to  fpeak 
plain  truth,"  in  fuch  terms  as  might  be  eafily  comprehend- 
ed, by  every  clafs  of  my  hearers,  then  prefent,  and  which,  I 
truft,  will  be  underftood  by  all  my  readers. 

That  the  Lord  may  accompany  with  his  abundant  bleff- 
ing,  what  is  here  laid  before  the  public,  is  the  fincere  prayer 
of, 

Gentlemen, 

Your  real  Friend  and  humble  Servant, 

In  the  pure  Gofpel  of  Chrifl:, 

DEVEREUX  JARRATT. 

RicHAfOKii^  Mat  5,  1792. 


A  SERMON. 


I  St  TIMOTHY— 4th  and  i6th. 

Take  heed  unto  thyself^  and  unto  thy  doctrine  ;  continue  in  them  ; 
for  in  doing  this,  thou  shalt  both  save  thyself  and  them  that 
bear  thee. 


THE  office  of  a  gofpel  Minifter  is,  of  all  others,  the 
snoft  facred,  weighty  and  important ;  and  the  condition  on 
vhich  it  is  held,  very  awful  and  tremendous.  It  is  therefore 
the  duty  and  intereft  of  all  thofe  who  are  inveftcd  with  it, 
ferioufly  to  reflect  on,  and  frequently  to  revolve  in  their 
minds,  the  greatnefs  of  the  truft,  in  them  lepofed  ;  and  alfo 
to  confider,  with  the  utmoft  folemnity  and  concern,  in 
what  manner  they  ought  to  condu6l  themfelves  in  their  voca- 
tion and  miniftry,  fo  as  to  deliver  their  own  souls  from  death, 
and  be  a  Saviour  of  life  unto  life^  to  as  many  of  their  hearers 
as  poflible.  To  effed  these  falutary  purpofes,  the  Apoftlc 
Paul  gave  this  folemn  charge  and  pertinent  advice  contained 
in  my  text.  Take  heed  unto  thyself ;  have  a  particular  xq- 
g2LTd  to  thine  own  temper  znd  conduct ;  let  this  be  thy  firft 
and  greateft  care  ;  and  to  thy  doctrine,  not  only  to  the  mat- 
ter, but  alfo  to  the  manner  of  thy  preaching  ;  and  continue 
in  them,  give  up  thyfelf  wholly  to  this  bufinefs  and  perfeverc 
therein  to  the  end  of  thy  days :  and  to  animate  and  fupport 
thee  under  all  the  fatigues,  trials,  and  fuflferings,  which 
thou  mayeft  meet  with,  in  the  faithful  difcharge  of  thy  office. 
Hill  keep  the  prize  in  view,  the  happy  confequences  of  fuch 
a  condu£t ;  for  in  doing  this  thou  shalt  both  save  thyself  and 
tbem  that  hear  thee. 


8  A  SERMON. 

As  thfffc  \Torcls  are  equally  applicable  to  us,  as  they 
were  to  Timothy,  I  fhall,  without  any  farther  cxpofitioii, 
proceed  to  confider  the  feveral  particulars  contained  in  them. 
Thefe  are  the  four  following  : 

I.  That  it  is  the  primary  duty  of  gofpel  Minifters  to  taks 
bced  to  tbejihehes. 

II.  To  their  doctrine, 

III.  That  they  muft  continue  in  them,  and  perfevere  to 
the  end  :    and 

IV.  1  he  happy  confequenccs  refulting  from  fo  doing  : 
for  in  doifig  this,  tboushalt  both  savs  thyself  and  them  that  hear 

thee. 

As  the  province  of  addrefling  you,  on  this  occafion, 
was  afligned  me,  by  the  lad  convention,  I  (hall  not  take  up 
any  of  your  rime  in  making  the  cuflomary  apologies,  about 
slenderness  of  abilities  for  addrefling  fuch  a  refpeaable  and 
learned  audience,  or  unfitness  to  alTuine  the  province  of  your 
inflrudor.  I  confider  myfelf  as  a  debtor  both  to  the  wise,  a?id 
to  the  unwise :  and  while  I  addrefs  myfelf,  both  to  clergy  and 
lalty,  in  the  nanic,  and  by  the  authority  of  my  adorable 
Lord  and  Mafler,  my  one  concern  is,  not  to  pleafe  the  tafte 
or  tickle  the  fancy,  but  to  fpeak  plain  truth,  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner, as  may  be  moft  acceptable  in  his  fight.—And  may  the 
eternalGod  enable  me  fo  to  preach,  and  you  to  hear,  that  his 
name  may  be  glorified,  and  you  edified,  for  Chrift's  fake. 

I.  Take  heed  to  yourselves.  This  is  the  firft  particular 
in  the  text  ;  and  it  is  truly  the  firlt  and  moft  eflential  qual- 
ification  in  a  gofpel  minitter.  He  that  does  not  take  good 
heed  to  himfclf,  is  not  likely  to  take  good  heed  to  the  fouls 
of  others;  or  indeed  to  do  any  thing  elfe,  belonging  to  his 
facrcd  ofiice,  in  a  becoming  manner.  ^    ^ 

Many  things  are  fuppofed  to  be  implied,  in  this  injunc- 
tion. But  1  am  verily  pcrfuaded,  that  the  main  thing  mten- 
ded  by  the  Apoftle,  is  personal  religion.  Minifters  are  as  in- 
timately  concerned,  in  the  weighty  truths,  they  dehver,  as 
any  of  their  hearers.  And  when  their  own  hearts  are  duly 
imprcfied  with  them,  it  is  reafonable  to  fuppole,  that  this 
impreflion,  as  by  a  happy  contagion,  will,  more  or  leis,  dit- 
fufe  and  fpread  itfelf  from  them  to  the  people.  By  personal 
religion  I  m^^a  not  a  blamclefs  life  and  convcrfation  only; 
but  an  expcriir.sntal  acquaintance    vilh  the  iranstormmg 


A  SERMON.  9 

power  of  the  gofpel,  on  the  inward  man  of  the  heart ;  whence 
all  true  religion  takes  its  rife.  This,  I  fay,  is  the  firfl:,  the 
moft  effential  qualification  of  a  gofpel  Minifter  ;  the  want 
of  which,  all  other  acquifitions  of  Greek,  Latin,  Philofophy, 
Rhetorick,  and  fuch  like,  can  never  fupply  ;  though  they  arc 
ufeful  in  their  places.* 

The  (ludy  of  pulpit  eloquence  has  been  warmly  recom- 
mended to  us  ;  and  to  deny  its  utility,  would  argue  both 
want  of  tafle  and  judgement.  But  as  art  can  never  vie  with 
nature,  fo  all  the  cold  rules  laid  down  in  books,  though 
learned  and  conned  by  rote,  and  digefted  in  the  mod  perfe£t 
manner ,  can  never,  in  reality,  make  a  pulpit  orator,  without 
the  faving,  vivifying  grace  of  God  ruling  and  infpiring  the 
heart  and  foul  of  the  fpeaker.  All  would  appear  but  as  the 
bold  (Irokes  and  nice  touches  of  the  pencil*  on  canvafs,  when 
compared  to  the  aftive  warmth  and  glowing  features  of  the 
living  man.  Art  can  fmooth  our  periods  and  add  luflre  to 
our  fentiments :  but  all  the  art  in  the  world  can  never 
reach  that  natural,  fpontaneous  force  and  pathos,  which  is 
the  genuine  offspring  of  vital  piety,  and  the  love  of  God  shed 
abroad  in  the  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  For  my  part,  I  fee 
not  how  it  is  pofTible  for  any  man  to  inculcate  the  great 
truths  of  the  gofpel,  and  diftinguilhing  doctrines  of  chriflian- 
ity,  with  any  fuitable  degree  of  ardour  and  propriety,  who 
has  never  known  their  faving  power  on  his  own  foul.  For 
inftance,  how  can  a  preacher  enforce,  with  fpirit  and  confi- 
dence, the  neceflity  of  fpiritual  regeneration  on  others,  who 
has  no  experimental  knowledge   of  that  great,   that  heaven- 

*  //  it  far  from  my  intention  to  depreciate  human  learning  ;  or  to  insinuate 
that  the  knoijuledge  of  Greek  and  Latin  ^  and  of  the  arts  and  sciences^  it  of  little 
or  no  account,  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  the  knonjcledge  of  these  is  of  great  set" 
vice  to  a  preacher  of  the  gospel ^  as  it  tends  to  adorn  the  mindy  enlarge  the  fac- 
ultieSt  improve  the  understandings  and  habituate  a  man  to  close  thinking  and 
just  reasoning.  Nay,  I  may  <venture  to  say^  that,  nuhen  under  proper  direc- 
tioa,  it  may  prepare  the  heart  for  higher  attainments  even  in  religion.  But  the 
knoi^ledge  of  these  ^  of  themselves  ^  nueuld  be  very  insufficient  to  qualify  a  man 
for  the  gospel  ministry  t  **  For  (to  use  the  *words  of  a  fine  'writer)  a  priest  that 
**  is  not  cloathed  'with  righteousness »  though  otheriuise  richly  adorned  nuith  all 
•*  the  ornaments  of  human  and  divine  literature,  and  these  gilded  over  toiik 
«*  the  rays,  of  seraphick  prudence  and  sagacity,  is  yet  but  a  naked,  despicable 
5*  creature f  of  no  authority  ^  no  interest,  no  use  or  service  in  the  church  tfGod^*. 
8TACKH0USF.*  body  of  divinity— Page  752, 

B 


to  A  SERMON. 

born  chanpjc  on  his  own  heart  ?  My  brethren,  let  us  take 
heed  to  ourfelves  that  we  reft  not  in  any  outward  form  of 
godllnefs,  without  the  inward  power  thereof;  and  that  we 
never  deal  "/«  the  false  ccmmerce  of  atrutb  iinfclt*** 

'Tis  as  abfolutely  necelfary  to  falvation,  for  the  Laity, 
es  well  as  for  the  Clergy,  to  be  pofleft  of  the  life  and  power 
of  religion  ;  for  without  holiness  no  man  shall  sec  the  Lord. 
But  there  is  an  additional  obligation  on  us,  who  are  Minift- 
crs,  becaufe  the  honour  of  God  and  the  profperity  of  the 
Cluirch  depend  more  on  us  than  other  men. — The  rapid 
declcnfion  of  the  Church,*  to  which  we  belong,  and  the  de- 
cadence of  religion  among  us,  have  been  mentioned  on  forrn^ 
er  occafions.  This  indeed  has  been  matter  of  grief  and 
complaint  to  all  her  real  friends.  A  number  of  things  may 
have  contributed  towards  it  ;  but,  as  has  been  hinted  before 
to  day,  I  am  verily  perfuaded,  nothing  has  been  more  preju- 
dicial than  the  mifcondu6i:  of  fome,  and  lukewarmnefs  of  o- 
thers  belonging  to  our  own  body.  Can  it  be  doubted,  but 
the  houfe  of  God  may  and  will  be  defeited  ;  and  that  men 
will  abhor  the  offerings  of  the  Lord,  now,  as  well  as  in  the 
days  of  £//,  if  fmiilar  caufes  abound  ? — 'Tis  not  a  fecret  fen* 
timent,  or  a  mere  conjcQure,  but  the  avowed  profefTion  of 
multitudes,  that  the  main  reafon  why  numbers  have  fallen 
away  from  our  church,  is  not  only  the  want  of  preaching  in 
a  manner  fufiiciently  evangelical,  but  alfo  the  want  of  that 
gravity  and  fobriety,  fervency  offpiritand  holinefs  of  life 
and  converfation  in  her  minifters,  which  they  know  to  be 
abfolutely  neccfl'ary,  not  only  to  diilinguiili  the  Clergyman, 
but  every  real  Chriftian.  1  doubt  not  but  our  church  is 
founded  on  principles  as  pure  and  apoftolick  as  any  church 
in  Chridendom.  But  the  laity,  in  general,  are  nor  ib  capa- 
ble of  judging,  in  thofc  points  of  controverfy,  which  refpe£l 
the  dilftrent  modes  and  conftitutions  of  dilVercnt  churches, 
but  they  are  very  capable  of  judging  and  dillinguilhing  be- 
tween thofe  Minidcrs  who  arc  grave  in  their  deportment, 
flri(5l  and  holy   in  their  lives,  warm  and  animated  in  their 

*fVbat  it  here  and  elttnx'htre  said  on  this  head  had  respect,  mo  doubt ^  t§  the 
f*culiar  state  of  the  Church  in  I  rrginia  and  farts  adiacent.  But  the  cause  asm 
signed Jor  this  declension  merits  the  attention  cf  e^ery  Minister  of  Jesus  Chriitm 
Such  a  termtn  as  this  can  nei/er,  in  auj  ttMte,  §r  chrittian  csuntrj,  ke  uHicaitn* 
mbU. 


A  SERMON.  II 

preaching,  and  diligent  and  laborious  in  their  vocations ;  and 
thofe,  who  are  cold  and  languid,  flothful  and  vicious.  And 
on  this  di(lin(flion  they  often  decide,  in  favour  of  this  or 
that  community. 

My  brethren,  tis  in  vain  to  difTemble  the  matter,  the 
greatefl  Ihare  of  that  which  has  reduced  our  Church  to  her 
truly  mortifying  and  humiliating  flate,  is  juftly  chargeable 
on  ourfclves :  and  we  may  flatter  ourfelves  as  much  as  we 
pleafe  ;  yet,  be  alfured  of  this,  till  the  Altar  be  purged,  the 
facrifice  will  be  contemptible. — I  fpeak  this,  with  the  more 
alTurance,  from  my  long  and  extenfive  acquaintance,  with 
the  language  and  fentiments  of  the  people,  in  many  parts  of 
the  Hate. — And  I  mud  confefs,  with  the  afpiring  youth 
mentioned  by  the  Poet,  I  have  often  been  put  to  filence  by 
their  obfervations  and  reflexions  ;  becaufe,  as  he  faid, 
pudet  hsec  opprobria  nobis 

Et  dici  potuiflfe,  et  non  potuifle  refelli. 

But  as  this  is  a  fubjed:  which  may  require  to  be  touched 
Xvith  a  more  tender  and  delicate  hand,  than  falls  to  my  fliare, 
I  fliall  not  enlarge  upon  it,  left,  by  attempting  to  heal,  I 
fhould  exafperate  the  fore.  However,  I  have  faid  enough  to 
fhow  how  abfolutely  neceflTary  it  is,  that  Miniftera  fhould  iakt 
heed  to  themselves. — I  pafs  on  to  the 

II.  Particular.     Take  heed  to  thy  do6lrine. 

This  injunction  comprehends  thefe  two  things. 

1.  Take  heed  to  the  matter  ;  and, 

2.  Take  heed  to  the  manner,  of  teaching. 
I.     The  matter. 

I  am  fenfible  that  this  fubjed  is  too  comprehenfive  to 
have  juflice  done  it,  within  the  limits  of  one  Sermon.  I 
fhall  therefore  fay,  in  a  word,  "  the  fubjed-matter  and  fub- 
ftance  of  all  gofpel  dodrine  is  Chrift."  This  may  be  eafily 
evinced  from  the  writings  of  Saint  Paul.  In  his  epiftles  to 
the  Corinthians,  he  fays,  we  preach  not  ourselves^  but  Christ 
yesus  the  Lord.  I  determined  not  to  know  any  thing  among 
yoUy  but  Jesus  Christy  and  him  crucijied.  And  writing  to  the 
Colofllans,  concerning  the  glorious  myftery,  which  had  been 
hid  from  ages,  but  was  then  made  known  to  the  Gentiles; 
he  informs  them,  that  it  is  Christ  inyou^  the  hope  of  glory  ; 
whom  we  preach.  This  endearing  objedl  occupied  his  whole 
time,  and   drew  all  his  attention  and  ftudies  after  it.     This 


12  A  SERMON. 

was  his  joy,  his  trcafure,  and  his  boaft  :  God  forbid^  says  he 
that  I  should  glory ^  sai'C  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
No  confideration  could  divert  him  from  his  favourite  and  im- 
portant theme.  When  the  Jews  fought  after  figns  and  the 
Greeks  for  wifdom,  he  would  gratify  neither  the  one  nor 
the  other  ;  though  it  might  colt  him  his  reputation  for  Phi- 
lofophy  and  other  arts  and  fciences.  Inftead  of  this,  he  per- 
fifled  to  preach  a  crucified  Saviour,  as  being  of  more  value 
than  all  the  fine  arts  in  the  world.  We  preach  Christ  crucifi- 
#J,  though  a  (lumbling  block  to  the  Jews,  and  to  the  Greeks 
foolifhnefs.  To  preach  Christ  crucified  comprehends  the 
whole  credenda  and  agenda  of  chrillianity  ;  all  things  necef- 
fary  to  faith  and  pradice. 

Were  we  the  difciples  of  fome  of  the  renowned  iages  of 
Pagan  antiquity,  we  might  think  it  fufficicnt  to  amufe  our 
hearers  with  fome  fpruce  fubjecls  of  molality.  But  as  we 
profefs  to  be  the  difciples  of  a  crucified  Jefus,  and  to  receive 
our  lefTons  from  him,  and  thofe  Apoflles  who  were  immedi- 
ately commifTioned  by  him,  what  have  we  to  do  with  your 
Plato's,  Seneca's,  Socratees,  and  fuch  like,  who  were  utter 
flrangers  to  that  glorious  gofpel  which  we  are  commifTioned 
to  preach  ?  At  proper  times,  I  grant,  it  is  our  indifpenfable 
duty  to  explain  and  enforce  the  great  duties  of  morality. 
But  to  dwell  on  moral  duties,  before  we  have  laid  a  proper 
foundation  for  the  due  and  acceptable  difcharge  of  them, 
on  evangelical  principles,  is  not  proper  ;  becaufe  this  is  to 
begin  at  the  wrong  end  of  our  work,  and,  of  confequence, 
we  are  not  likely  to  efFedl  any  good  purpofe. 

Now,  in  preaching  Chrilt  crucified,  we  fhall  obferve 
certain  evangelical  truths,  which  immediately  break  forth 
from  him,  in  that  capacity,  as  their  fource  and  centre,  jufl 
as  the  rays  of  light  break  forth  from  the  meridian  Sun. — 
Thefe  truths  are  fuch  as  follow.  To  wit.  The  fallen  and 
miferablc  ftate  of  man,  on  which  the  whole  gofpel  fcheme  of 
Salvation  is  founded  ;  the  necefTity  of  an  atonement ^  through 
a  mediator  ;  the  sufferings  of  Chrift,  for  that  purpose  ;  the 
dignity  of  his  perfon  and  the  infinite  merit  of  his  death  and 
pafTion  ;  the  free  forgivenefs  of  fins,  through  his  blood  and 
righteoufnefs  ;  the  neceflity  of  regeneration,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Ghofl,  to  enlighten  our  underflanding,  re- 
new our  will,  fandily  our  affcdlions,  fhed  abroad  the  love  of 


A  SERMON  t3 

God  in  our  hearts,  comfort  our  fouls,  and  fupport  us,  in  all 
our  trials,  temptations,  and  difficulties.  Thefe  are  the  doc- 
trines, which  are  mod  intimately  conneded  with  a  dying 
Saviour,  and  the  whole  fcheme  of  redemption,  through  him. 
They  are  of  fuch  importance,  that  we  fhould  never  lofe  fight 
of  them,  let  the  fubjedof  our  difcoutfe  be  what  it  will ;  and 
when  we  preach  these  we  preach  Christ*  And  as  thefc  are 
the  dodrines,  which  ever  have  been,  fo  they  ever  will  be, 
the  mod  effeflual  and  fuccefsful  means  of  converting  sinners 
from  the  error  of  their  ways,  and  saving  souls  from  death.  They 
ought,  therefore,  to  be  clearly  explained,  frequently  repeat- 
ed, and  flrongly  enforced. — I  come, 

2.  To  treat  of  the  manner,  in  which  the  doctrines  of 
the  gofpel  ought  to  be  preached. 

And,  1.  They  fhould  be  preached  in  their  proper  order 
and  connection. 

2.  With  arc'our,  zeal,  and  affedion  :  and, 

3.  With  a  clofe  application. 

I.  The  dodrines  of  the  gofpel  ought  to  be  preached  in 
their  proper  order  and  connedion  j  and  not  in  a  jumbled 
and  promifcuous  manner. 

Now,  as  the  whole  fcheme  of  redemption,  through 
Chrift,  is  founded  on  the  fallen  and  ruined  ftate  of  mankind, 
then  the  firft  thing  neceflary  to  effed  their  recovery  from 
Tuin,  is  to  make  our  hearers  fenfible,  deeply  fenfible,  that 
this  is  their  ftate,  in  particular.  Till  this  is  done,  we  may 
preach  againft  this  vice  and  that  vice,  to  no  purpofe  ;  and  we 
may  preach  morality  till  we  preach  it  all  out  of  the  world. 
I  firmly  believe  there  never  was,  and  never  will  be,  one  foul 
brought  to  take  one  right  ftep,  in  the  way  to  heaven,  by 
merely  preaching  morality.*  Chrift  is  the  way,  and  the  on- 
ly way  pointed  out  in  the  gofpel.  And  if  ever  we  bring  fin- 
ners  to  Chrift,  as  the  way,  and  to  clofe  with  him,  on  gofpel 
terms,  we  muft  fo  preach  as  to  make  them  feel  extreme  need 
of  him.  For,  they  that  are  whole,  need  not  the  Physician,  but 
they  thai  are  sick. 

We  muft,  therefore,  labour,  by  all  means,  to  expofe,  in 
the  moft  alarming  colours,   the  entire  depravity  and  univer- 

*  I  speak  of  iuch  as  are  under  the  gospel.  The  Heathens  I  leave  in  the 
hands  of  their  Creator  :  For  nvhat  ha've  I  to  do  'with  those  that  are  without  f 
Thej  that  are  'vcithout  God  judgith» 


14  A  SERMON. 

fal  corruption  ot  human  nature  ;  and  place  before  the  eycJ 
of  our  hearers  their  guilt,  and  danger  of  perifhing,  as  being 
under  the  wrath  and  curfe  of  God,  and  Hable  every  moment, 
to  the  ftrokes  of  vindidive  juftice. 

However  unwelcome,  or  unpleafmg  fuch  a  convidion 
might  be  to  any  of  you,  my  hearers,  yet  it  cannot  be  difpenf- 
cd  with.  'Tis  of  the  utmOit  necefTity,  that  you  fhould  not 
only  hear  but  feci  that  you  are  wretched  and  miserable y  and 
foory  and  blind^  and  naked :  and  that  there  is  indeed,  "  no 
iicaith  in  you.*'  The  very  meaning  of  the  Greek  word, 
x^'hich  is  tranflated  Gospel^  fignifies  "  good  news,  or  glad 
tidings." — But  you  will  never  be  able  to  apprehend  the  pro- 
priety and  fignificancy  of  this  word,  or  rightly  underftand 
uhy  it  is  fo  called,  till  you  feel  the  deadly  wounds  which 
fin  has  given  you,  and  are  painfully  fenfible  of  the  woeful 
deftru6tion  it  hath  wrought  on  your  precious  fouls. 

Should  any  of  our  hearers  deny  the  dodrine  of  original 
fin,  or  that  human  nature  is  fo  degenerate  and  corrupt,  we 
can  eafily  prove  that  it  is  fo,  both  from  fcripture,  and  mat- 
ters of  fadt.  The  fcriptures  allure  us.  That  lue  are  JJ:>apen  in 
ZL'ickedness  and  conceived  in  sin  :  that  we  are  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sitis  ;  and  are ^  by  nature^  children  of  wrath  : — that  in  our 
fi^sh  dwellcth  no  good  thing  ;  and  that  by  the  offence  of  oncy 
judgement  came  upon  all  men  to  condemnation, — And  if  we  look 
round  us,  and  furvey  the  condud  of  the  generality,  evidenc- 
es of  this  univerfal  degeneracy  and  depravity  of  mankind, 
from  matters  of  fadl,  will  glare  upon  us  from  every  quarter. 
See  !  whole  families  !  See  thoufands,  of  all  ranks  and  de- 
grees, living  in  the  neglect  of  God  and  his  reafonable  fervice. 
— See  every  fpecies  of  wickednefs  and  profanenefs  abound- 
ing and  overfpreading  the  land,  like  a  rapid  torrent,  or  a 
Iweeping  inundation.  And  whence  do  all  thefe  foul  dreams 
01  iginate,  but  from  the  polluted  fountain  of  a  corrupted  heart  ? 

But  men  fhould  not  only  be  convicled  of  original,  but 
of  their  a£lual  fms  againft  God  j  and  the  imminent  dangers 
tC'  w  hich  they  are  expofed,  on  account  of  their  multiplied 
tranf^relfions  of  his  holy  law.  And,  as  by  the  law  is  the 
ktiowltdge  of  sin,  this  renders  it  neceifary  for  Minillers  to 
pj-each  the  law,  in  all  its  fpiritualiiy  and  broad  extent  :  and 
that  fo  pointedly,  that  the  hearers  may  duly  apprehend  their 
o'wn  particular  concern,   in    what  is  delivered.     Impenitent 


A  SERMON.  ig 

finners  muft  be  faithfully  warned  that  the  wrath  of  God  is  rem 
vealed  from  Heaven  again/i  all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness 
of  men  :  that  tribulation  and  wrath ^  indignation  and  anguish 
is  the  certain  doom  of  the  Chriftlefs  and  unconverted  fia- 
ner  5   whether  high  or  low,  rich  or  poor. 

Thefe,  and  fuch  like  alarming  declarations,  when  pro- 
nounced in  their  proper  place,  and  pointed  at  the  confcience^ 
with  a  folemnity  becoming  their  dread  importance,  and  di- 
vine authority,  will  not  fail,  by  the  bleffing  of  Heaven,  of 
having  their  falutary  effedls,  upon  fome  of  the  mod:  fecure 
and  carelefs.  Sinners  in  Zion  will  be  afraid^  and  fearfulness 
will  surprize  the  hypocrites.  They  ftart  alarmed  from  their 
carnal  flumbers,  and  behold  the  gloomy  clouds  of  ven- 
geance, hanging  over  their  guilty  and  defencelefs  heads,  big 
with  thunder,  fire  and  ftorm  ;  while,  far  beneath,  the  flamr 
ing  gulf  gapes  wide  to  receive  them  at  their  coming. 

By  fuch  jufl  views  of  their  guilt  and  danger,  finners  be^ 
gin,  in  good  earned,  to  drive  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come.— 
Now  they  quit  their  jovial  companions  :  the  ball  room  and 
card  table  are  no  longer  frequented  :  they  break  off  every 
fpecies  of  vice,  and  betake  themfelves  to  reading,  hearing, 
and  praying,  with  a  folemnity  unknown  before.— They  now 
plainly  fee  that  Hfe,  their  eternal  life,  is  at  (lake,  and  there 
IS  no  time  left  for  trifling  and  delay.  Their  anxious  hearts, 
wounded  by  the  pungent  terrors  of  the  divine  law,  and  op- 
preft  with  loads  of  guilt,  vent  themfelves  in  many  a  figh  and 
groan,  in  forrowful  retirement.  In  a  word,  as  their  duty  is, 
fo  they  now  make  ufe  of  all  the  means  of  grace,  with  con^ 
ftancy,  vigor,  and  exertion. 

By  this  time,  a  very  great  reformation  and  vifible  chang<; 
have  taken  place  in  fuch,  and  they  may  begin  to  flatter  them- 
felves, that  they  are  out  of  danger  now,  and  all  is  well.-— f 
But  this  is  a  fatal  miftake  ;  for  there  is  ftill  a  greater  danger,- 
though  of  a  different  kind  than  before.  Before  they  were  in 
danger  of  perifhing,  from  their  out  breaking  fins  and  crimi* 
nal  negledl  of  religious  duties :  but  now,  they  gire  in  danger  of 
refting  in  an  outward  reformation,  and  of  making  a  Saviour 
of  cheir  duties.  Thus  like  the  Jews,  in  St  Paul's  day,  beifig 
ignorant  of  God* s  righteousness^  and  going  about  to  establish  their 
own  righteousness  J  they  may  never  submit  tbenfelves  to  ihs 


'id  A  SERMON. 

righteousmss  of  Chn^k^  by  which  alone  they  can  be  juftiliediil 
the  fight  of  God. 

Therexore,  when  finners  are  ready  to  fing  a  requiem  to 
their  fouls,  repofing  themfelves,  on  their  external  change, 
and  reding  in  the  works  of  their  own  hands,  the  miniflers  of 
Chrid  mull  alarm  them,  with  frefh  difcoveriesof  their  dang- 
er ;  chafe  them  out  of  their  fafe  hiding  places;  diflodgc 
them  from  all  their  refuges  of  lies  ;  and  make  ufe  of  the  hea- 
\ie(l  artillery  of  law,  to  demolilh  the  flattering  intrenchment 
of  thei;-  own  felfrighteoufnefs.  In  fhort,  they  muftbe  clofe- 
ly  purfued,  till,  from  a  full  conviction  of  their  own  inability 
to  relieve  themfelves,  by  any  thing  they  can  either  do  or  fuf- 
fer,  they  are  made  heartily  willing  to  fubmit  themfelves  to 
the  righteoufnefs  of  Chrilt,  and,  in  humble  felf-defpair, 
cheerfully  accept  of  pardon  and  falvation,  as  they  are  freely 
offered  in  the  gofpel.  Now,  when  we  have  fo  fuccefsfully 
convicted  fmners  of  their  guilt  and  danger,  and  reduced 
them  to  defpair  of  any  help  in  themfelves,  then,  and  not  till 
then,  is  the  way  properly  opened  for  the  proclamation  of  de- 
liverance, through  the  riches  of  free,  gofpel  grace. 

Here  it  is,  that  we  are  called  forth  to  the  moftfvveetand 
pleafing  part  of  our  work  :  I  mean,  that  now  is  the  time  for 
us  to  exhibit  the  Lord  Jefus,  in  all  his  mediatorial  glories, 
and  in  all  the  offices  which  he,  as  the  great  Redeemer  of  a 
fallen  race,  fuftains  and  executes.  Now  we  mud  open  and 
difplay  the  plan  of  falvation  through  him  :  how,  as  our  fub- 
P.itute  and  furety,  he  fulfilled  the  precept  of  the  law  or  cov- 
enant of  work*!,  and  bore  the  curfe  for  us,  or  in  our  (lead. 
That  having  magnified  the  law  and  made  it  honourable^  by  his 
active  obedience^  and  fatisfied  the  rigid  demands  oi  justice  by 
his  passive  obedience  ;  God  may  now  be  just  and  the  justijier 
if  him  ^  whobelicveth  in  Jesus.  We  may  therefore  invite  the 
"weary  and  heavy  laden,  with  a  burden  of  guilt,  to  come  to 
him  for  red.  We  may  give  them  the  ftronged  aflurance  of 
his  willingnefs  to  receive  all  repenting  and  returning  prodig- 
als, from  his  kind  invitations,  indefinite  calls  and  gracious 
promifes. 

We  mud  alfo  point  out  and  explain  the  method  by 
which  finners  obtain  a  faving  interell,  in  the  judifying  righ- 
teoufnefs of  Chrid.  And  this,  I  apprehend,  mud  be  by  /;w- 
futation.     This  important  truth  wc  arc  taught,  by  St.  Paul^ 


A  SERMON  17 

in  federal  places ;  but  no  where  more  clearly  and  explicitly 
than  in  his  fecond  epiftle  to  the  Corinthians,  V.  chap.  21  ft 
verfe,  For  ke  was  made  sin  for  us^  who  knew  no  sin,  that  ws 
might  be  ?nade  the  righteous  ncss  of  God  in  hinu  As  if  he  had 
faid— Chrid  Jefus,  who  had  no  fm,  but  by  Imputation,  was 
made  fm,  or  a  fm-ofFering  for  us ;  that  we,  who  have  no 
righteoufnefs  of  our  own,  might  be  made  the  righteoufnefs 
of  God  in  him.  Or  in  other  words  ;  as  our  Hns  were  fo 
charged  to  his  account,  as  our  furery,  that  he  fufFered  for 
them  ;  fo  mull  his  righteoufnefs,  confifling  in  his  adive  and 
paillve  obedience,  be  imputed  to  us,  or  placed  to  our  account, 
that  by  this  righteoufnefs,  we  may  be  jullified  in  the.  fight 
of  God,  and  faved  from  wrath  through  him.  But  the  con- 
dition, on  our  part,  whereby  we  become  intitled  to  the  ben- 
efits, procured  by  our  Redeemer's  righteoufnefs,  is  Faith* 
Faith  is  the  grand  condition  of  the  gofpel.  This  is  exceed- 
ingly evidtfnt  from  the  writings  of  the  Apoflle  Paul,  efpe- 
cially  his  epiilles  to  the  Romans  and  Galatians.  And  we 
aifo  find,  that  when  the  trembling  jailor  aiked  that  impor- 
tant queftion  :  Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? — The  an- 
fwer  is.  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  sa» 
ved.  But  we  read  fo  frequently  of  being  juftified  by  Faith 
in  Christ,  by  believin-^  in  Christ,  and  by  faith  in  his  bloody 
that  it  is  needlefs  to  enlarge.  To  mention  only  one  inffance  ; 
you  will  ohfcTve  (in  Ads  20)  that  3t.  Paul,  in  his  folema 
and  affectionate  farewel  to  the  Churches  of  Ephefus,  reminds 
them  of  his  own  fidelity,  in  declaring  to  them  the  wholeroz//?- 
sel  of  God,  and  that  he  had  kept  back  nothing  that  was  prof- 
itable to  them,  or  to  their  falvation  ;  and,  in  the  21ft  verfe, 
he  fums  up  the  fubflance  of  what  he  had  taught  them  pub- 
licly, and  from  houfe  to  houfe  ;  namely.  Testifying  to  the  Jews 
and  also  to  the  Greeks,  repentance  toward  God,  and  faith  to* 
'ward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  was  the  fum  of  his  prea- 
ching ;  and,  indeed,  it  is  the  fum  and  fubflance  of  all  gos- 
pel dodrine.  And  how  exadly  this  accords,  with  the  or- 
der of  preaching  I  havejufl  now  laid  before  you,  mufl  ftrike 
every  attentive  mind.  —  We  are  firfc  to  preach  Repentance  ta^ 
ward  God,  But  this  cannot  fo  effectually  be  done,  in  any 
other  way,  as  bv  expofing  the  degeneracy  and  corruption  of 
mankind  ;  and  pointing  out  the  horrid  deformity,  danger- 
ous nature,  and  deftrudive  confequenccs  of  fin.     And  when 

C 


i8  ASERMOl^. 

this  has  produced  the  defignfd  eflecls,  then  we  naturally 
proceed  to  exhibit  the  Lord  Jefus,  as  the  all-fuukient  Sa- 
viour, and  to  preach  faith,  in  him,  as  the  only  condition  of 
juftification  through   him.* 

From  the  fame  fource,  the  corruption  of  human  nature, 
we  likewife  proceed  to  evince  the  abfolute  neceffity  of  regen- 
eration, or  the  New-Eirth.  Marvel  not^  fays  our  Lord,  that 
I  said  unto  thee,  y:  must  be  born  again.  If  we  only  confider 
our  Saviour's  reafon,  for  this  declaration,  mentioned  In  the 
preceding  verfe,  that  which  is  born  of  the  Flesh  is  Flesh,  i.  e. 
carnal  and  corrupt,  there  can  be  no  caufc  to  marvel  at  //. 
But  on  the  other  hand,  there  would  be  great  caufc  for  won- 
der and  amazement,  fhould  any  alTert,  that  an  internal 
change  was  unnecefTary.  If  mankind  be  juftly  depidled,  in 
Kom.  iii.  lo  verfe  and  downward — if  we  are  shapen  in  wick" 
edncss  and  conceived  in  sin — if,  by  nature,  we  are  earthly^ 
sensual^  and  devilish,  and  have  no  relish  for  the  refined  plea- 
fures  of  devotion.  Would  it  not  (hock  all  common  fenfe,  to 
sfHrm,  that  fuch  creatures,  without  an  entire  chanje  of 
heart  and  atTedions,  are  capable  of  the  enjoyment  of  God, 
the  company  of  Saints  and  AngeN,  and  all  that  extatic  blifs 
of  Heaven,  confiding  in  the  worfliip  and  praifes  of  God,  and 
the  pfrfc<5lion  of  holinefs  ? 

The  abfolute  neceflity  of  regeneration,  mud  be  if  renu- 
oufly  infilled  on,  and  its  nature  and  author  held  forth,  in  a 
clear  light.  By  doing  this,  our  hearers  will  be  convinced, 
Bot  only  that  they  cannot  be  happy  without  it,  but  alfo,  that 
no  wGik,  good  and  acceptable,  in  the  fight  of  God,  can  be 
done,  by  them,  till  they  are  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their 
piind,  an  J  h2.wc  put  on  the  new  man,  which,  after  the  image 
of  God,  is  created  in  righteoiuness  and  true  holiness. 

Should  any  objed  to  this,  as  if  it  were  a  mw  fangled 

^Hrw  tlfarlj  i»  tht  artklet  of  out  old  cburcb  point  out  to  ut  this  order  and 
nanner  of  pr  achiejt  ?  After  laying  dorc-n  *wbal  her  tons  are  te  believe  re* 
ipr^ling  Cod  end  the  Tbree  Pencnj,  in  Trinity  and  Unity,  the  canonical  Scrip^ 
tmrtt.  and  tbr  Cretdt,  she  proceedt^  in  article  the  ninth,  to  speak  of  original  sin 
mnd  the  d  tiraxUy  of  kmrran  nalnre  :  in  the  tenth,  the  sets  forth  the  htlplest 
itatr  of  m*^n  ;  and  in  the  elei>enib,  she  teaches  boTu  *we  are  tf  be  justified,  or 
wuuir  frgf^/fcut  and  restored  to  the  fa'vour  sfGod.  Her  ivords  are,  **  fVe  are 
••  aecomnifd  ugh^ut  h  fore  Cod,  only  far  the  merit  of  our  Lord  mnd  Savionr 
**  y^fiii  Chmt  by  Faitb  and  mt  for  onr  oron  "jcorks  or  deserving.  Wherefore 
«•  that  tve  areJBStiftd  by  faitb  tatj,  i9  a  m84t  wlnf/stiu  dQdriJte  and  t^erj  full 
*•  of  tomfQTt^\ 


A  SERMON-  19 

do^lrine,  we  may  readily  prove  to  the  contrary,  by  fiiowing 
how  confonant  thefe  fentiments  are  to  the  Liturgy  and  Arti- 
cles of  the  old  Church.  The  13th  article  exprefsly  declares, 
that  "  works  done  before  the  grace  of  Chrifl  and  the  infpir- 
*'  ation  of  his  Spirit  are  not  pleafing  to  God,  forafnuch  as 
*'  they  fpring  not  of  faith  in  Jefus  Chrifl:,  neither  do  they 
*'  make  men  meet  to  receive  grace. — Yea  rather  for  that 
*'  they  are  not  done,  as  God^  hath  willed  and  required  them 
*'  to  be  done,  we  doubt  not  but  they  have  the  nature  of  fm." 
And  let  all  my  hearers  be  alTured,  that  no  external  reforma- 
tion of  life  or  manners,  nor  a  fubmiilion  to  baptifm,  or  any 
other  outward  rights  of  the  Church,  will  amount  to  this 
change. — Nothing  lefs  than  a  renovation  of  the  whole  man 
is  the  change  intended.  The  apoftle  calls  it  a  new  creation^ 
If  any  ?nan  be  in  Chrijl^  favingly  he  is  a  nevj  creature  ;  or, 
*'  there  is  a  new  creation  ;  (as  the  Greek  word  ktifis  might 
more  properly  be  rendered). — And  again,yor  in  Chrift  Jefus^ 
neither  circumcifion  availeth  any  thing,  nor  uncircumcifion, 
but  a  new  creation  kainee  ktifis. 

And  be  it  known  unto  you  all,  that  it  is  not  enough  to 
acknowledge  the  necellity  of  fuch  a  change,  but  you  your- 
felves  mull  be  the  fubjedls  of  it  ;  you  mufl:  be  acquainted 
with  the  transforming  power  of  it,  on  your  own  hearts  j  or 
where  God  is,  there  you  can  never  come. 

You  mufl:  alfo  be  deeply  confcious,  th-at  a  change  fo  great, 
fo  noble  and  divine,  cannot  be  effected  by  any  human  power 
or  ability.  It  is  God  alone,  the  fountain  of  divine  influence, 
who  is  able  to  repair  the  ruins  of  degenerate  nature.  Hence 
It  is  faid,  that  we  m\i{ihQ  born  of  the  Spirit — bom  of  God. 
To  God  therefore  muft  you  look  :  to  him  mufl:  you  frequently 
and  fervently  pray,  that,  according  to  bis  great  and  precious 
fromifes^  you  niay  be  made  partakers  of  the  divine  nature, 

O  Sirs,  were  we  all  but  truly  fenfible  how  excellent  and 
indlfpenfable  this  renovation  is,  and  how  infuflicient  we  are  of 
ourfelves  to  effed  it,  we  fhould  difcover  a  beauty  and  prop- 
el ty,  in  our  truly  excellent  and  comprehenfive  Liturgy,  we 
never  faw  before.  And,  O,  with  what  fervour  fhould  we  join 
in  praying,  that  Almighty  God  "would  cleanfe  the  thoughts 
*'  of  our  hearts,  by  the  infpiration  of  his  holy  Spirit,  that  we 
*^  may  perfectly  love  him,  and  worthily  magnify  his  holy 
*'name."  A  fubjecl  of  greater  importance  than  this,  never 
engaged  the  attention  and  concern  of  mankind  3  but,  as  lime 


20  A  SERMON. 

will  not  admit  of  enlargement  at  prefent,  I  fliall  conclude, 
vith  reminding  the  Lairy,  that  it  is  the  Spirit  of  God  alone, 
that  can  woik  in  you  this  fpiritiial  and  internal  change,  which 
IS  fo  abfolutely  neceflary  to  prepare  you  for  themanfions above, 
and  infpire  you  with  that  Heaven-born  religion  which  will 
rrow  and  thrive  and  ripen  for  eternal  glory  :  and  with 
cautioning  the  Clergy  to  take  heed^  that  you  never  intimate 
that  any  man  can  enitr  into  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  without 
this  change,  or  pafs  through  it,  and  yet  remain  infenfible  of 
it.  A  mere  hint  of  this  nature,  from  a  Miniiter,  may  be 
attended   with   very  pernicious  confequences  to  many  fouls. 

And  now,  my  brethren,  on  fuppofition  that  any  of  our 
clear  hearers,  in  our  refpeQive  congregations,  have  been 
brought  to  fee  and  lament  their  loft  and  wretched  ftate — have 
repented  and  fought  the  Lord,  with  all  their  hearts  and  have 
obtained  pardon  tor  all  their  fins,  by  faith  in  the  righteoufnefs 
cf  Chrifl  ;  and  have  been  regenerated  and  made  alive  to  God, 
by  the  cleanfing  and  quickening  powers  of  the  eternal  Spirit, 
the  way  is  now  opened  for  inculcating  all  m.oral  duties  ;  all 
the  good  works  of  piety  and  mercy,  enjoined  in  the  moral 
law  of  liberty. 

In  preaching  morality.  In  this  order  and  connedllon,  we 
tread  on  fafe  groaad  ;  becaufe  herein  we  follow  the  bed  pat- 
terns and  examples.  Saint  Paul,  in  his  letter  to  Titus,  having 
reminded  him  of  the  free  grace  of  God,  in  the  falvation  of 
men  :  that  they  were  fayed,  not  by  any  works  which  they 
had  done,  but  merely  through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  by  the 
ivashin^  of  rc^en.ration  and  renewin'f  of  the  Holy  Ghcst  being 
juflified  by  his  grace,  and  made  heirs  of  eternal  life,  through 
jefus  Cnriit— proceeds  to  ad.nonifli  Titus  of  the  neceifiy  of 
inculcating  the  pradice  of  good  works  on  believers.  '1  his  is  a 
faithful  sayings  and  these  things  /  wd!  that  thou  ajflrm  constantly 
ibat  ihcy  which  have  believed  in  God,  may  be  cartful  to  maintain 
^'jod  works — The  doctrine  of  juftification,  by  faith  only,  is  fa 
far  from  difcharging  us  from  the  necedity  of  good  works,  that, 
as  it  lays  a  properfoundation  for  tlie  due  ;?c  acceptable  perform- 
ance of  them,  fo  it  ftrongly  enforces  them,  from  confiderations 
&  motives,  the  mofl  cogent,  weighty,  &  powerful.  Indeed  it  is 
the  only  dodrine  that  is  likely  to  produce  the  (Irifleft  morals 
and  the  holieft  pradlice.  The  love  of  Christ  fays  the  -XpolHc 
4Qastraimth  us  ;  ivhilc  we  thus  judge  ^  that  if  one  died  for  allg 


A  SERMON.  £1 

ihm  were  Ji!  dead  .*-  and  that  he  died  for  all,  thai  they  wh9 
live^  in  consequence  of\i\%  death,  should  not  henceforth  live  unto 
themselves^  but  to  him,  who  died  and  rose  again* 

But  though  it  be  our  duty  to  enforce  the  purefl  OKirsils, 
yet,  at  the  fame  time,  let  us  take  heed  to  do  this,  not  as  Hea- 
then moralifls,  bur  as  Miniilers  of  the  Gafpel.  As  fuch,  be 
our  fubjed:  what  it  will,  we  mud  always  place  Jefus  Chrill 
in  the  centre  of  the  planj  fo  that  we  may  point  our  hearers 
continually  to  him,  from  whom  all  ability,  both  to  will  and 
to  do,  is  derived  ;  and  through  whom  alone  all  our  works, 
as  well  as  our  perfons,  can  find  aceptanc^  with  God.  In 
vain  do  we  attempt  to  make  men  adive,  lively,  and  uniform 
Chriflians,  in  any  other  way,  than  by  teaching  them,  "  to 
live  a  life  of  faith,  in  the  Son  of  God,  who  has  fo  loved  them, 
*'  as  to  give  himfelf  for  them."  This  confideration,  that 
Christ  hath  loved  me,  and  given  himself  for  me,  is  the  main 
fpring  of  all  Chriftian  virtues,  and  moit  powerful  (timulus 
to  obedience. 

Talk  fhey  of  morals  !  O  thou  bleeding  love  ! 

Thou  maker  of  new  morals  to  mankind  : 

The  grand  morality,  is  love  to  thee. 
But  the  tree  mult  be  made  good,  before  the  fruit  can  be 
fo,  irj  reality.  G))d  works,  fays  th^  12th  articl.%  are  the 
fruits  of  faith,  and  f oIIjvv  after  '' j'il:iftcation.'*  Obferve 
they  follow  after  justification,  as  the  fruit  of  that  faith  by  which 
^?ve  are  juftified.  But  notwithftanding  it  is  impofliDle  fo**  our 
good  works,  at  any  time,  to  merit  'the  pardon  of  fin,  or  a  ti- 
tle to  Heaven  ;  yet  such  as  do  spring  from  a  lively  faith,  are 
pleasing  to  God,  and  aniwer  many  valuable  purpofes. — They 
are  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  our  Redeemer;  the  brighiefi  evi- 
dence  of  the  truth  of  our  faith,  and  the  reality  of  an  in- 
ward change  of  heart  :  they  perfed  our  faith,  and  through 
their  inftrumentality,  we  grow  in  grace  and  ineekntfs  for  the 
celeftial  kingdom.  In  (hort,  profeffitig  Chri  lians  not  only 
ought  to  be  holy,  but  they  mull  be  holy  in  heart  and  lite. 
For  let  a  man  profefs  ever  fo  great  a  regard  for  Chriit,  and 
faith  in  the  Gofpel,  yet,  if  he  live  in  the  pradice  of  any  known 
fm,  or  in  the  omifTion  of  any  known  duty,  his  profefTion 
is  vain,  his  faith  is  dead,  and  Chrid  will  profit  him  no- 
thing. 

Having  pointed  out  the  order  and  connexion  in  which 


22  A  SERMON. 

the  truths  of  the  Gofpel  ou;^ht  to  be  preached,  I  come, 

11.  To  fpcak  of  that  ardour,  zeal,  and  affeclion,  with 
which  they  (liould  be  preached. 

it  is  neither  commendablo  nor  becoming,  in  a  MInifler, 
vho  is  to  speak  the  wirds  of  truth  and  soberness^  to  put  on  the 
\;s'ildairs  of  f:inaticifin,  or  the  extravagant  rage  and  furv  of  a 
franuc  reverse. —  Vnd  it  is  equally  unbecoming  to  ipeak  of 
the  Lord  C.htiil,  and  the  weighty  truths  of  the  Bible,  with 
coldnefs,  lapigour,  and  air  of  unconcern.  If  Miniilers  are 
to  be  burning  and  [Joining  lights  then  it  {hv)uld  be  our  endeavour, 
not  only  to  fpeak  truth  with  clearnL^fs  and  propriety  of  dic- 
tion, but  with  fuch  fervency  of  f[>irit,  and  ardent  zeal,  as 
may  at  once  convey  light  and  heat  to  the  fouls  of  hearers. 
Thus  fhall  we  both  inform  the  judgment,  and  engage  the 
paflions  on  the  fide  of  truth. 

When  wc  afcend  the  facrcd  defk,  and  caft  our  eyes  round 
on  the  audience,  we  often  behold  multitudes  of  fouls,  on  the 
very  brink  of  cverlalfing  ruin.  Multitudes  of  impenitent 
and  uconverted  fmners,  who  muil  repent  and  fly  to  the  arms 
of  Jefus,  and  that  foon,  or  be  forever  miferable.  And  yet, 
perhaps  they  are  as  full  of  pride,  levity,  and  unconcern,  as, 
if  they  were  in  no  danger  ;  or  as  il  they  had  no  God  to  obey, 
no  foul  to  fave,  no  heaven  to  gain,  no  hell  to  fhun.  Now 
wc  know,  or  ought  to  know,  the  deplorable,  dangerous  ftate 
that  fuch  poor,  thoughtlefs  and  wretched  mortals  are  in. 
1'hat  there  is  but  a  step  between  ihcrn  and  death  ;  and  (hould 
they  die  in  their  prefent  (late,  they  muil  fuffer  the  vengeance 
of  eternal  fire.  In  fuch  circumllances,  what  a  betraying  of 
our  own  trud,  and  of  the  foul:  of  men,  would  it  be  in  us, 
if,  indead  of  exerting  ourfevles  to  the  utmofl  of  our  power,  & 
ufingcverymotivetoawakenthem  to  an  awfulfenfeoftheir  ex- 
treme danger,  or  roufmg  them  with  a  voice  of  thunder  to  flee 
the  wrath  to  cf):ne,we  fliould  entertain  them  with  fome  languid 
harangue  on  the  beauties  of  virtue  ;  or  amufe  them  with  an 
afled'jd  difplay  of  our  own  abilities,  to  catch  their  applaufe  ? — 
Or,  fuppofe  the  preacher  fliould  treat  on  a  fubje£l  more  evan- 
gelical, yet,  if  this  be  done  in  a  fpiritlefs  manner,  no  good 
ctleds  can  rcafonably  be  expected  from  it  ;  becaufe  the  fpcak- 
er  does  not  appear  to  be  in  earnefl:  in  what  he  fays.  Almoft 
every  body  is  io  well  acquainted  with  the  conditution  of  hu- 
man nature,  as  to  know,  that  a  man  cannot  but  speak  in  carri* 
esty  when  he  is  /';;  earnest. 


A  SERMON,  M^ 

My  brethren,  If  your  hearts  were  fuitably  warmed  with 
the  generous  love  of  God  and  the  fouls  of  men  ;  if  we  feel 
the  power  of  divine  truth  in  our  own  breafls,  we  cannot  but 
fpeak  with  fome  fuitable  degree  of  animation  and  pathos  : 
devout  paflions  will  enliven  and  adorn  our  periods  and  ap- 
parent indications  of  affeclionate  concern  for  the  falvation  of 
immortal  fouls,  will  command  attention  and  folemnity,  and 
bear  home  the  truth,  with  mighty  force  and  energy,  on  the 
minds  and  confciences  of  our  hearers. — I  have  to  add,  on 
this  head, 

III.  That  we  (hould  clofe  our  difcourfes  with  a  pointed 
application. 

Many  a  good  fermon  has  proved  abortive,  for  want  of 
a  proper  application.  I  have  intimated  already,  that  men 
muft  be  brought  to  know  themfelves,  or  they  will  never  fuit- 
ably prize  the  Saviour.  But  we  are  not  very  likely  to  help 
them  to  this  felf-knowledge  by  merely  dealing  in  generals, 
or  fpeaking  in  a  diftant,  abflrad  manner,  as  if  we  were  talk- 
ing of  fome  third  perfone,  and  not  fpeaking  to  thofe  who  are 
prefent.  We  mull:  apply  our  dodrines  to  the  particular  cafes 
and  circumftances  of  the  fouls  prefent.  And  then  fhall  we 
be  workmen,  who  need  not  be  afhamed,  when  we  separate 
the  precious  from  the  vile  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth, 
and  give  to  every  one^  whether  faint  or  fmner,  his  proper  por» 
tion  in  due  season.  This  interefting  particular  would  admit 
of  great  enlargement — but  I  am  hurried  on  to  the 

III.     Particular,  contained  in  the  text. 

Here  I  am  lead  to  fpeak  of  minifterial  afiidulty  and  perfe- 
vcrance.     Continue  in  them. 

If  there  was  any  neceffity  for  St.  Paul,  to  charge  his  fon 
Timothy,  who,  from  a  child  had  known  the  holy  fcriptures, 
to  give  attendance  to  reading  and  meditation  ;  and  to  devote 
himfelf  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  miniitry^  that  his  profiting^ 
his  increafmg  proficiency,  might  appear  unto  all  his  hearers  ; 
there  is  certainly  as  much  necefTity  for  this  charge  to  be  en- 
forced upon  and  (Iridly  obferved  by  the  Minifters  in  our  age 
and  time.  If  we  duly  confider  the  importance  of  our  office, 
and  the  awful  account  we  mufl:  render  to  the  Lord  of  our 
ftewaidfhip,  and  the  fouls  committed  to  our  care,  we  Ihall 
eafily  difcover  that  we  have  no  time  to  wafte  in  idle  vifits  and 
tiifling  converfation  j  n^uch  left  to  encQurage,  by  our  pret 


«4  A  SERMON. 

ence,  if  not  by  example,  thofe  vain,  tlme-TraflinGr  and  fouT- 
deftroying  pleafurps  and  amuremfnts,fo  much  in  voeue  arnon^ 
the  gay,  the  giddy,  the  thoiiLihtlcfs  and  irrtliunous  majority 
of  mankind.  Might  not  a  Minister,  if  fcen  in  the  ball-room, 
at  the  card-table,  or  in  the  race-field  juflly  meet  wich,  at  Italt, 
that  mild,  hut  pertinent  rebuke,  which  the  Lord  gave  the 
timorous  Prophet,  when  out  of  his  place  of  duty  and  ufr-FuU 
nefs — H7jat  dosi  ihou  here^  flijah?  Let  a  Domirian  defcend 
from  his  imneriai  thr^^ne  to  the  childifh  employment  of  catch- 
ing flies — !et  i  Nero  drop  the  reins  of  government,  and  tura 
ail  Iiis  attention  tu  a  fiddle  ;  but,  as  one  iminortal  foul  is  of 
more  value  than  the  vait  Roman  Empire,  in  all  its  height  of 
grandeur  and  extent  of  territory,  let  not  thofe,  who  have  the 
awful  charge  of  fouls,  a6l  a  (till  more  fliocking  and  incontrru- 
ous  part,  by  giviig  rh'^mfjlves  up  to  an  over  eager  purfuit 
of  this  world  ;  to  trifling  leveties,  or  wafling  their  titne  in 
vanity,  idlenefs,  and  unprofitable  converfarion.  All  the  time 
ve  have  to  fpare,from  our  publick  labours  &  thofe  avocations, 
which  are  connc(51cd  with  our  oflice,  is  little  enough  to  fpend 
in  ufcful  fludies  to  furnifh  ourfe'.ves  with  divine  knowledge, 
and  wreflling  with  God,  in  prayer  and  fupplication,  for  the 
growth  of  grace,  in  our  own  hearts,  for  a  blefling  on  our  la* 
bours,  and  for  the  falvation  of  the  people. 

But  it  is  not  enough  to  make  a  good  beginning,  or  to 
(lourifli  and  blaze  for  a  while  :  we  muff  continue  stedjast  and 
vnmovcah'e^  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  —  When 
^\'c  read,  Say  to  ylrchippus^  take  heed  to  the  ministry  which 
ihou  hast  received  in  the  Lord,  that  thou  fulfil  it,  we  fliould  make 
the  application  to  ourfelves.  The  dying  charge  c  f  Paul  the 
aged  to  his  fon  Timothy,  we  fhould  alfo  frequently  call  to 
mind — Watch  thou  in  all  things  ;  endure  afflictions  ;  do  the  work 
of  an  evangelist  ;  make  full  proof  oj  thy  mi  nisi  ry^ — Be  instant 
in  season,  out  of  season  ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long 
suffiring  and  doctrine,  Perfeverance  mud  crown  our  labours  : 
Fidelity  unto  death  ensures  the  croun  of  life,  Difliculties  and 
fore  trials  we  may  exped  to  meet  with  ;  but  the  happy  con- 
fcquences  of  fidelity  and  perfeverance,  if  duly  refleded  on, 
may  abundantly  fupport  us  under  all.  For  in  doing  this,  thou 
shalt  bGi'h  save  thyself  and  tbi?n  that  hear  thee,  and  this  leads 
me  to  the. 

IV,  And  lad  particular  contain€d  in  the  text. 


A  SERMON.  as 

It  IS  pofllble  for  us  to  conceive  of,  or  wi(h  for  any  thing 
greater,  and  more  defirable,  than  the  falvation  of  our  own 
fouls,  &  the  fouls  of  others  ? — Blefied  be  God,  his  faithful  fer« 
vants  are  not  doomed  to  drudge  in  this  world  forever.  Death 
is  fafl:  approaching,  as  a  friendly  meflenger,  to  put  a  period  to 
all  their  toils  &  labours,  in  the  Church  militant  here  on  earth. 
And,  O  what  (Irong  confolation  mufl  it  afford  a  faithful  Min- 
ifter,  in  his  lad  moments,  to  be  confcious  to  himfelf  that  he  is 
pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men.  That,  with  zeal  and  unwearied 
diligence,  he  has  declared  the  whole  council  ofGid  ;  and  ap- 
proved  himfelf  as  the  Minifter  of  Chrifl,  in  much  patience^  in 
necessities^  in  distresses^  in  labours^  in  watchings,  infastings  :  by 
pureness.by  knowledge^  by  love  unfeigned^  by  the  word  of  truth y 
and  by  the  armor  of  righteousness  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the 
left, — That  he  has  fpent  his  life  and  exhaufted  his  flrength, 
in  ftriving  to  fave  immortal  fouls  from  death.  See,  how  fe- 
rene  &  placid  he  lies  on  the  confines  of  the  grare ;  with  what 
fortitude  he  faces  the  King  of  Terrors,  with  all  his  ghaftly 
train. — How  does  he  triumph  in  the  profpedl:  of  a  happy  im- 
mortality, while  he  expires  under  the  fmiles  of  Heaven,  and 
tranfporting  expedations  of  being  immediately  admitted  to 
the  bofom  of  his  beloved  Lord  and  Saviour. — And  furely  it 
muft  greatly  augment  his  comfort  and  happinefs,  that  he  has 
not  laboured  in  vain^  nor  spejif  his  strength  for  nought.  That 
his  condefcending  mafter  has  fo  honored  him  as  to  make  him 
an  inftrument,  in  his  hand,  of  turning  many  to  righteousness^ 
who  will  be  his  crown  of  rejoicing,  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  : 
that  God  has  made  him  the  father  of  many  fpiritual  children, 
dearer  than  fons  and  daughters  ;  and  who,  as  they  have  joined 
with  him,  in  fweet  communion  and  fellowfhip,  in  the  humbler 
forms  of  worfhip  here  below,  will  (hortly  meet  him  again  ia 
the  glorious  realms  of  light,  and  join  together,  in  the  noble 
fervices  of  the  celeftial  temple  above.  O,  tranfporting 
thought  ! — Enough  to  fire  our  fouls,  and  infpire  the  molt 
timorous  bread  to  encounter  difficulties,  brave  dangers,  and 
break  through  all  oppofitions. 

Thefe  my  brethren,  are  not  matters  of  doubtful  import : 
they  are  not  merely  ideal. — They  are  fubftantial  realities,  of 
which  we  have  the  mod  indubitable  affurance.  For  what 
fays  my  text — "  lake  heed  unto  thyfelf  and  unto  thy  doftrinej 


56  A  SERMON. 

continue  in  them  :  for  in  doing  this,  thou  flialt  both  fare 
thyfelf  and  them  that  hear  thee." 

Having  difpatched  the  doQrine,  I  cannot  conclude,  con- 
fiflently  with  my  own  plan,  without  fome 
jiPPUCATlOK 

As  every  application  ibould  naturally  arife  from  the  doc- 
trine, fo, 

I.  You  will  recollect,  that  I  have  mentioned  fomcthing 
of  the  fall  and  ruin  of  mankind,  and  a  great  ncceflity  that 
men  fhould  be  fenfible  of  this,  that  they  may  fuitably  prize 
the  Saviour.  The  quedion  then,  which  I  folemniy  put  to  your 
confciences,  is—Have  you  ever  been  fo  deeply  confcious  that 
this  cafe  was  your  own,  as  to  be  alarmed  with  fuch  a  fenfe  of 
your  danger,  by  reafon  of  fin,  that  you  have  betaken  your- 
ielves  to  conftant  and  fervent  prayer  to  God,  for  mercy  and 
deliverance.  You  could  not  reft  as  you  had  done,  becaufe 
you  faw  your  foul  lying  under  the  corruption  and  guilt  of 
fin,  and  every  moment  expofed  to  the  ftntence  of  the  brc  ken 
law,  and  the  ftrokes  of  incenfed  juftice.  ^y  hearers.  Cler- 
gy and  Laity,  do  you  know  any  thing  of  thefe  matters,  by  your 
o\^n  heart-felt  experience  ?  Do  you — or  do  you  not  ?  If  not, 
you  are  certainly  (Irangers  to  vital  religion  ;  and  have  never 
taken  one  right  ftep  in  the  w^ay  to  Heaven,  in  all  your  life, 
though  you  may  have  attended  conftantly,  on  all  the  outward 
forms  of  religion,  ever  fince  you  can  remember.  To  know 
curfelves,  and  to  be  feelingly  fenfible  of  our  ruined,  helplefs 
ftate,  is,  undoubtedly,  the  firft  ftep  towards  our  recovery  by 
Chrift,  and  confequently  the  firft  ftep  heavenward.  And  if 
Vt  have  never  taken  this  firft  ftep,  it  is  not  probable  that  we 
have  taken  a  fecond.  You  have,  therefore,  ereat  reafon  to 
conclude,  that  you  are  yet  in  your  fins,  and  ftand  expofed  to 
all  the  maledidions  denounced  againft  them.  O  that  you 
would  admit  the  convidion  now,  left  you  fee  the  truth  of  thefe 
things,  when  it  is  too  late. 

II.  I  obferved,  that  when  finners  are  properly  awakened 
to  a  fenfe  of  their  danger,  they  reform  their  lives,  and  dili- 
gently attend  on  all  the  duties  of  religion  and  means  of  grace. 
—But  yet  there  was  danger,  left  they  ftiould  take  up  with  the 
means  inftead  of  the  end  ;  and  ftop  (liort  of  an  intereft  in 
Chrlft's  righteoufnefs,  by  making  a  Saviour  of,  or  trufting 
in,  their  reformation,  and  performance  of  moral  and  religious 


A  SERMON.  t7 

duties.  Then  it  was  neceflary  to  drive  them  out  of  all  de« 
pendance  in  their  own  righteoufnefs,  and  bringr  them  to  de- 
ipair  of  meriting  the  pardon  of  ene  fm,  or  the  favour  of  God, 
by  any  thing  they  could  either  do  or  fufFer.  This  is  the  fec- 
ondftep  towards  clofing  with  Chrifl  on  gofpel  terms.  And 
have  you,  my  dear  hearers,  ever  been  brought  to  this  ?— 
When — and  where? — Let  confcience  anCwer.  IF  you  are 
Ignorant  of  this,  your  caufe  is  very  unpromifing  indeed.  You 
do  not  appear  ever  to  have  feen,  as  you  ought,  your  need  of 
the  Phyfician,  or  of  that  Saviour,  who  came  to  leek  and  ta 
fave  the  loft,  the  helplefs,  and  the  defperate. 

ill.  I  obferved  further,  that  when  fouls  are  happily  re- 
duced to  the  ftate  laft:  mentioned,  that  is,  to  defpair  of  all 
help  in  themfelves,  then  was  the  time  for  difplaying  the  free 
grace  of  the  gofpel,  and  pointing  the  guilty  and  the  helpleft 
to  the  Loid  Jefu^  Chiift  as  an  alUfufficient  and  willing  Sav- 
iour, Dying  fouls  are  called  to  look  unto  him,  by  faith,  and 
live  ;  and  the  weary  and  heavy  laden  are  invited  to  come  to 
him  for  reft,  v/ith  a  promife  that  they  ihould  find  it — And 
have  you  ever,  in  fuch  circumdances,  adually  obeyed  thefe 
calls  and  invitations  ? — Do  you  know  what  it  is  to  find  reft 
for  your  fouls,  in  Jefus  Chrift  ? — Reft  from  a  burden  of  fia 
and  guilt  ? — Perhaps  thefe  clofe  interrogatories  may  pinch 
fome  of  my  audience,  and  you  might  be  ready  to  aik— 
**  What  fort  of  preaching  is  this  ?"  I  aufv/er — this  is  preach- 
ing with  an  application,  that  every  one  of  you  may  examine 
yourfelves,  and  know  what  your  prefent  ftate  is  ;  whether  a 
Saint  or  a  finner.  But  you  might  afk  further — "  Does  noC 
this  talk  about  feeling  the  burthen  of  guilt,  and  feeling  the 
need  of  a  Saviour,^'  and  fuch  like,  fiivour  too  much  of  enthu- 
fiafm,  and  the  wild  notions  of  Fanaticks  ? — No,  firs  ;  tis  the 
very  language  of  our  own  mother  Church,  You  can't  be 
unacquainted  with  the  confeflion  (he  puts  into  the  mouths  of 
all  who  come  to  her  folemn  feafts.  "  Tne  remembrance  of 
our  fins  isgrevious  unto  us  ;  the  burthen  of  theji  is  intoler- 
able.'* And  fhe  direds  the  Minifter,  when  he  vifits  the  fick, 
to  pray,  that  the  fick  perfon  may  not  only  know,  but  ''feel 
that  there  is  no  other  name,  through  whom  he  may  receive 
falvation,  but  only  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jelus  Chrift." — 
Have  you  been  made  to  feel  ^this  ?  And  have  you  been  ena- 
bled, by  divine  alTiftance,  tg  caft  your  fouls  with  all  their 


29  A  SERMON. 

load  of  guilt  on  the  ri.^hteoufnefs  of  the  Redeemer  ?  Have 
you,  by  f.iiih,  fufpended  your  eternal  all  on  his  merits,  ex- 
pef^inp^  pardon  of  fin,  the  love  and  favour  of  God,  ^nd  a  ti- 
tle to  Heavon,  as  the  free  gift  of  God,  through  Jefus  Chrifl: 
our  Lord  ? — Iffo,  then  are  ye  true  believers,  and  mult  know 
what  it  is  to  havejoy  and  peace,  in  believing.  Being  juilifi- 
cd  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God,  through  Jefus  Chrift 
our  Lord.  But  if  vou  have  not  the  happy  experience  of  fuch 
a  faith,  and  its  bleifed  effects,  you  arc  not  believers,  in  a  Gof- 
pcl  fenfe,  but  are  (lili  liable  to  all  the  miferies  of  a  finner  out 
of  Chrift. 

IV.  I  was  led  to  mention  the  necefTity  of  regeneration, 
and  that  this  change  was  not  merely  external,  but  internal, 
1-lave  you  been  the  fubjedls  of  this  change  ? — 1  do  not  a(k 
you.  Whether  you  believe  this  change  to  be  neceffary  ?— 
The  neceflity  of  it  is  demonftrable,  both  from  reafon  and 
fcripture.  Nor  do  I  aik  the  Clergy,  whether  you  fometimes 
prrach  up  the  neceflity  of  it  ?  This  we  may  do,  and  yet  know 
nothing  of  it  by  experience.  We  may  preach  a  truth  unfrit, 
But  1  afk  you  all,  whether  you  have  indeed  experienced  this 
great,  this  radical,  this  univerfal  change  on  your  hearts,  fo  as 
to  be  renewed  in  the  fpirit  of  your  minds,  in  righteoufncfs 
and  true  holinefs  ? — If  you  have  not  good  reafon  to  con- 
clude, that  this  change  has  been  wrought  in  you,  how  can 
you  enjoy  any  reft  or  peace  till  it  be  effedled  ? — Do  you  not 
remember  the  folemn,  the  reiterated  declaration  of  our  blefl- 
cd  Lord,  except  a  man  he  born  aga'in^  he  cannot  see  the  King' 
dom  of  God. 

Finally.  If  thofe  who  have  believed,  muft  be  careful  t5 
maintain  good  works  :  if  good  works  arc  the  fruits  of  a  fav- 
ing  faith,  and  the  brightefl  evidence  of  our  being  in  a  ftate  of 
grace  ;  then  I  alk,  in  the  prefence  of  God,  Is  your  converfa- 
tion  fuch  as  becometh  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift  ?  Do  you  live  a 
life  of  felf  denial,  and  take  up  the  crofs  daily  ?  Have  you  aban- 
doned every  known  fm  ?  Are  there  no  fwearers,  drunkards, 
liars,  and  fuch  like,  within  the  found  of  my  voice  ;  Do  you 
confcit-ntioufly  difcharge  the  feveral  duties  you  owe  to  God, 
your  neighbour,  and  yourfelves  ?  Do  you  gladly  attend  all  the 
ordinances  of  religion  ?  Do  you,  at  all  opportunities,  partake 
of  the  fupper  of  the  Lord  ?  Do  you  pray  in  your  families, 
jnorning  and  evening  ?  l)o  you  inlirud  your  children  in  the 


A  SERMON,  ag 

principles  of  our  holy  religion,  and  endeavour  to  bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord  ?  Can  you  an- 
fwer  thefe  queftions,  in  a  manner  fatisfadory  to  yourfelves  ?— 
If  not — what  (hall  I  fay  to  you  ?  To  call  you  Chriflians,  would 
be  a  cruel  deception. — And  can  you  hope  you  are  in  the  favour 
of  God,  and  that  you  (hould  be  happy,  if  you  die  in  your 
prefent  cafe  ;  Alas  firs,  where  is  your  warrant  for  luch  a  hope  ? 
I  beg  and  intreat  you  not  to  deceive  yourfelves  :  God  is  not 
wocked  ;  for  whatsover  a  man  soweth^  that  shall  he  also  reap  J 

Let  me  then  befeech  you  all  to  lay  thefe  folemn  truths  to 
heart. — Don't  let  them  flow  out  of  your  mind.  You  mud 
have  difcovered,  by  this  time,  what  your  prefent  condition  is  ; 
and  whether  you  belong  to  the  clafs  of  Saints,  or  fmners.  If 
to  the  former^  then  rejoice  in  your  happy  lot :  let  your  mouths 
be  full  of  the  praifes  of  God,  and  ever  abound  in  the  works 
of  faith,  and  the  labours  of  love. — But  if  to  the  latter^  then 
for  God's  fake,  and  your  own  fouls  fake,  reft  not  in  fuch  an 
awfully  dangerous  condition.  Be  up  and  doing.  Seek  the 
Lord  with  your  whole  heart.  Break  off  every  fm,  without 
delay.  Quit  the  company  of  the  vain,  the  giddy,  and  the 
profligate  ;  and  ceafe  not  to  watch,  and  pray,  and  feek  and 
llrive,  till  you  have  experienced,  in  your  own  fouls,  what  it 
is  to  be  born  of  the  Spirit  :  and  have  obtained  pardon  of  fm 
and  peace  with  God,  by  faith  in  Jefus  Chrift. 

Now  to  God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy 
Ghofl:,  be  afcribed,  as  is  moft  due,  all  Praife,  Power,  Maje fly 
and  Dominion,  both  now  and  ever,    AMEN. 


ly*.,, 


^^'.        ^^ 


^w 


I 


'^■ 


